title: [Acute stroke incidence estimated using a standard algorithm based on electronic health data in various areas of Italy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to define an algorithm and implement it in various areas of Italy, in order to evaluate acute stroke incidence through current databases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lazio, Tuscana , Venezia AULSS 12, Torino ASL 5.
  
  
  METHODS
  resident-based population in the above mentioned 4 areas during 2002-2004.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Annual and triennal incidence rate (crude and standardized per 100,000 inhabitants with 95% CI) by sex and age classes (0-14, 15-34, 35-54, 55-64, 65-74, 75-84, 85+), standardized rate of mortality by sex and areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  acute stroke incident cases during 2002-2004 in the 4 Italian areas were identified through hospitalization databases (SDO) and death causes (CM). The selection was made including hospitalization cases (no outpatients) and deceased people with a discharge or death code ICD9-CM 430*, 431*, 434*, 436* with no hospitalization for stroke diagnosis in the previous 60 months. Moreover, patients with 438* codes in secondary diagnoses and patients with hospital discharge from rehabilitation or long-hospital units were excluded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  men have a higher crude incidence rate than women (+30%). The age-specific rates show a large variability among the areas for elderly people (65+ for men and 75+ for women), with higher rates in Toscana in both genders (cases per 100,000 inhabitants: 260.1 men; 193.1 women). Intermediate values were found in Torino and in Lazio; the lowest values are reported in Venezia (men: 182.5; women: 1368). Standardized mortality rates also present higher mortality levels in the two regional areas (Lazio and Toscana) and lower levels in the two urban areas (Torino and Venezia).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is not easy to evaluate the algorithm. Results seem compatible enough with other studies and show a certain consistency with current mortality data. Different socio-economical characteristics could account for differences in the estimated incidence among areas. However, diferences in the quality indicators suggest that a validation study with standardized diagnostic criteria will make quality evaluation of the algorithm possible.
authors.affiliation: Laziosanita Agenzia di sanita pubblica.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tancioni
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Collini
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Balzi
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barchielli
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gnavi
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Picariello
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tessari
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Simonato
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D001330:Electronic Data Processing / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology*